Here's my issue: they wanted their own tough runner, but their guy didn't qualify. Fredericks, while not a true "thunder" type of back, is the toughest runner on the roster. Watching Lackawanna CC tape, I have a hard time believing he would have met Dino's heady standards for conditioning, especially as a true freshman. Further, Fredericks had the best true freshmen running stats since who, Joe Morris? (I believe)
Strickland was most effective catching the ball in space last year, this between the tackles thing is indeed a learning experience for him and I question the his effectiveness in this new role.
What's surprised me the most with this offense so far is the heavy limitation on substitutions. I get the strategy of not allowing the defense the opportunity to regroup, but as I brought up before, surely Fredericks is in good enough shape by now to last until the first fake injury by the defense could allow for a substitution.